I don't get people's resistance to helmets!

[indysteel]

Okay, I have to rant for a second. I've had two conversations over the past week with people who are new to cycling. One is a guy at my yoga studio who has sole custody of his two kids. The other is a friend of mine who is a therapist and is thinking of buying my Trek FX. With respect to the former, I asked him if he had a helmet and he admitted that he didn't because he didn't want to mess up his hair. When I talked to my friend about buying my bike I said that I'd sell it to her on the condition that she wear a helmet. She immediately balked because she doesn't want to have bad hair all day when she meets with her clients.

Both of the these people plan to ride--at least at this point--exclusively on a multi-use trail that we have in Indy under the mistaken belief that it's safer than the road. Wrong. Almost all my close calls have been on the trail because it's crowded and lots of people are too oblivious to be trusted. Plus, you have to cross some busy intersections and I've had more than one driver wave me on only to then start driving at me (I don't use this trail anymore btw).

With respect to both I said, well your hair's gonna look like crap when the doctor shaves it to treat your massive head wound. I mean, seriously people! Is having a good hair day really more important than your life? I'm as vain as the next person, but I decided a while ago to just use a headband and get over it. I hate to tell my friend but my guess is that most, if not all, her patients could give a rat's you-know-what about her hair. And the guy with the two kids in his care? Well, that's just selfish and short-sighted of him. I've also shared an antidote with them about a friend of mine who was involved in a paceline crash recently. While he sustained a broken collarbone and his helmet was cracked in four places, he did not sustain even the slightest head injury or wound. Not only do helmets make sense, but they actually work!

GRRRRRRRRRRRR.

Thank you for letting me vent.

K-

[lph]

I agree, this is a bit bizarre. I happen to think I look kind of cool with helmet hair - a bit sleek athlete-like

But then, I don't have a very elaborate hairdo, I have curly hair and it goes all over the place anyway. Nothing a little water won't fix. Maybe if I spent ages fixing it every morning I'd be more unhappy slapping a helmet on top.

I go all wobbly at the knees just thinking about biking without a helmet...

[limewave]

There's a kid in our neighborhood who bikes around wearing his helmet, but it's not strapped What's the point?

[madscot13]

This spring, I was biking and talking with a classmate who had to borrow a friend's helmet because she had lost hers. She said that she will definitely have to get a new helmet for the summer- it makes me a legitimite bicyclist. I thought about it and truer words have never been spoken.


I think there is some relief in site. My roommates never let me leave the house without a helmet. Also, one of my roommates just bought a new helmet at the REI sale. cool!

[bike4ever]

Our store policy is every customer has to have a helmet on to take a bike for a test ride. I worked with an older lady last summer. She was very interested in one of our Fisher hybrids, and she was with her granddaughter. I offered to set the bike up for her for a test ride explaining that I needed her drivers license. I also said I would get her one of our helmets. She immediately said she would not go on a test ride if we made her wear a helmet (she said this in front of her granddaughter). I quickly asked if she wore a seat belt - her reply - only because it's the law. I wished her luck in finding a bike.

A couple of weeks ago, my son and another boy were joking around with a kids bike at school. They dropped the bike and tore his saddle. Both boys paid for the saddle. My son lost his bike privilege for 1 week since he rode the other childs bike without a helmet!!

[Veronica]

- it makes me a legitimite bicyclist.

No, you're putting your judgements on to other people. I rode with some outstanding cyclists this last weekend, who did not wear their helmets.

V.

[michelem]

This sounds like my husband (except, it's not a hair thing - he's hair deprived!). He REFUSES to wear a helmet - sounds like a little kid - "I don't wanna wear a helmet!" We are going on a bike tour this summer, and the rules say he must wear a helmet. I've bought him one to bring with us, but he says that he is going to try to see if he can sign a waiver when we get there so he doesn't have to wear it. Sigh . . . It's frustrating because I thought this would be a fun thing for us to do together, but, no, all of his training is going to have to happen at the gym on the stationary bike because a) he won't train outdoors without me (his philosophy is why ride outside when he can ride inside in the air conditioning with cable tv at the gym?) and b) I refuse to ride with him unless he has on his helmet. Grrrrr . . .

Maybe someday he'll change. He finally started wearing a seatbelt when we were dating and I said I wouldn't ride in a vehicle with him unless he wore his seatbelt (our first few dates were those where we drove separately - how romantic - ha ha). Sometimes he really drives me crazy, but I love him!

P.S. This is despite the fact that when he was in 6th grade he was hit by a car when riding his bike. The vehicle ran a red light and almost killed him - he was in ICU for a while and had to have surgery to repair the broken bones in his leg - still has some nasty scars to prove it.

[indysteel]

No, you're putting your judgements on to other people. I rode with some outstanding cyclists this last weekend, who did not wear their helmets.

V.

Well, perhaps wearing a helmet doesn't necessarily make you a "legitimate" cyclist, but it sure makes you a smarter one. I'm kind of surprised that there are "outstanding" cyclists out there not wearing helmets. I realize that the pros weren't required to wear them until relatively recently, but I assumed that the vast majority of us who are serious about the sport--either competively or recreationally--collectively agree that helmets are essentially a necessity. I can't think of any event or club ride or race in my area where helmets aren't required. It almost goes without saying.

I didn't make the comment you took issue with, but all the same I feel pretty comfortable on this count imposing my judgment on others. At the end of the day, I and every other taxpayer out there ends up footing the bill, one way or another, for injuries sustained by people who refuse to take basic, low cost, and commonly accepted safety precautions. While there is no helmet law for cyclists or motorcyclists in Indiana, I would fully support one; personal freedom be damned. And I'm willing to lecture any cyclist--competitive, recreational, outstanding, legitimate, etc.--who refuses to wear one.

[KSH]

Well, they really aren't using their heads on this one... bad pun... sorry, had to do it.

Anyhoo, trails are NOT safe. My boyfriend had a horrible wreck on a trail, demolished his bike, and almost his head, if it hadn't been for his helmet.

I also know of other trail wrecks. One where someone broke a hip and another person broke their collar bone.

And I know how annoying it is... to see people riding without helmets. The other day, at the lake I ride, there was this Dad riding in the street with his son. The son, about 8 years old, was BEHIND him, on a road with cars. Neither had helmets on. WTH? How do you let your kid ride in the street, not watch them and not put a helmet on his head? GGGGRRRRR

[missymaya]

"Legitimate" or not, helmets are the smart way to go. You could have the best bike handling skills and be at the utmost caution and still not be able to predict what's comin your way. A lot of people just think it doesn't look cool to wear a helmet, but if it weren't for mine, I probably wouldn't be here . When I bought my first road bike, my parents helped me out a little by giving some outdoor jobs to make extra $ and they said they would buy the helmet (purdy grey Giro Atmos at that ). But, when they ride bikes, they don't wear helmets because "they go slow", according to them. All it takes is just one car or one fall.

[Veronica]

I and every other taxpayer out there ends up footing the bill, one way or another, for injuries sustained by people who refuse to take basic, low cost, and commonly accepted safety precautions.

Do you also lecture people who smoke, over eat, do drugs, drink to excess, engage in unsafe sex, drive over the speed limit, don't get their shots, refuse to go to the dentist, don't exercise, etc.?

I have a great deal of respect for the cyclists I was riding with. They are not stupid or irrespsonsible people. They have incredible bike handling skills. They have evaluated the risks and decided that they don't always need helmets. It has nothing to do with being "cool" either for these people.

Making a judgement about someone you don't know is not very respectful. It's like junior high school. They're not wearing the "uniform" so they're not real cyclists.

Whatever.

V.

[mimitabby]

I guess if people are going up and down a country lane at 8 mph without helmets and there are no cars allowed on the street, that's okay. I agree, there are some instances when not wearing helmets is probably okay, but I have a feeling that people who opt out of helmets aren't being selective about when they are opting out. It's just like the seatbelt story. It's a habit. you're not going to use the seatbelts on the interstate and NOT buckle up when you're just driving to the park.

I just saw the picture of the little boy's helmet broken in 3 places after a vehicle ran over his head. The boy is alive thanks to the helmet. One of the reasons we wear helmets when "we don't need them" is to model this safe behavior to children.

[Kitsune06]

No kidding. With respect to "Helmet Hair" Honestly, there are SO many ways around that now. I think one of the biggest I've seen are the pretty silk headscarves... It's not just a religious article; it's a fashion statement!

I bike to work, and though it's not a long ride, I slap that helmet on when my hair's wet. Instant helmet hair. I get there and I have all kinds of exciting waves that weren't there before. Fantastic. Some days I need to completely wet down my hair in the sink, dry w/ a paper towel (these are blessedly unlinty) and then finger-comb back into the original sexy red spikes.

I'd imagine longer hair would fare better; at least a little, with new waves and braid/ponytailability.

*shrug*
People can be idiots and thinking people will be eternally flummoxed by the amazing irresponsibility of others.

[Python]

I really don't know why people make a fuss about "helmet hair". Haven't they heard of combs and brushes, hairspray and hairgel etc.?

I've been growing my hair long for the past 18 months and it's at the stage where I can tie it back in a ponytail. I also got a Buff and use that every day. When I get to work I change into my suit, get the brush out and usually put my hair up with a crab-like claw which is shaped like a flower. It looks good, is tidy and keeps my hair out of my face. Going home I just put my hair back in a ponytail and put the whole lot in the Buff under my helmet.

I'd feel naked without my helmet.

In any case, head whacking concrete = OUCH!!! (or worse).

One thing that amuses me though is why men are so vain about their hair (or lack of it)

[smilingcat]

Do you also lecture people who smoke, over eat, do drugs, drink to excess, engage in unsafe sex, drive over the speed limit, don't get their shots, refuse to go to the dentist, don't exercise, etc.?

I have a great deal of respect for the cyclists I was riding with. They are not stupid or irrespsonsible people. They have incredible bike handling skills. They have evaluated the risks and decided that they don't always need helmets. It has nothing to do with being "cool" either for these people.

Making a judgement about someone you don't know is not very respectful. It's like junior high school. They're not wearing the "uniform" so they're not real cyclists.

Whatever.

V.

Hi Veronica,

I do fully respect those who wish to take chances. As I said before accidents are accidents no one plans on having one but they do happen. I consider myself an experienced rider yet I've been in two serious crashes..

Just reiterating what has been said, if they are willing to take the risk, then they need to face the consequences on their own pocket book. Don't expect me to pay for their foolishenss. Pay for the paramedics, the ambulance, the doctors, the scans, the surgery...

Sorry Veronica but I see it slightly different. And yes I do tell smokers, wreckless drivers... They all need to pay out of their pocket. Same for me too.

Shawn